The King of Masks
 |
This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (August 2008) |
| The King of Masks | |
|---|---|
 American DVD cover |
|
| Directed by | Wu Tianming |
| Written by | Wei Minglun |
| Starring | Zhu Xu Zhou Renying Zhao Zhigang |
| Music by | Zhao Jiping |
| Cinematography | Mu Da-Yuan |
| Distributed by | Hong Kong: Shaw Brothers United States: The Samuel Goldwyn Company |
| Release date(s) | June 13, 1999 (USA) |
| Running time | 101. min (China) 91 min. (USA) |
| Country | People's Republic of China |
| Language | Mandarin |
The King of Masks (simplified Chinese: 变脸; traditional Chinese: 變臉; pinyin: Biàn Liǎn) is a 1996 Chinese film directed by Wu Tianming.
Contents |
[edit] Synopsis
Wang is The King of Masks, an aged street performer who practices the change-mask opera art of bian lian. He laments that he has no male heirs to carry on his mysterious and complicated art and trade. At an illegal child market, Wang buys what he believes to be an orphan boy to become his adopted grandson and apprentice.
However, Wang soon learns his new disciple is in fact a girl. As tradition dictates that he cannot pass his art onto a girl, he tries to abandon her, but she stubbornly stays with him. While looking at his masks, she accidentally sets his humble residence on fire. Out of guilt, she runs away.
When Wang is falsely accused of kidnapping a rich family's child, he is thrown in jail. His former disciple goes to one of his friends, a famous performer in the local opera, threatening to kill herself if he or any of his guests, including a local military leader, are unable to help Wang. The King of Masks is eventually freed, and he finally accepts the girl as his granddaughter and teaches her his art.
[edit] Reception
The film won a number of awards at various film festivals around the world. It had a limited American theatrical release in 1999 and earned about $1,000,000.[citation needed]
[edit] Awards and nominations
- Huabiao Awards, 1995
- Outstanding Co-Production Film
- Golden Rooster Awards, 1996
- Best Co-Produced Film
- Best Director — Wu Tianming
- Frankfurt Children and Young People's Film Festival, 1996
- Lucas, Children's Section
- Tokyo International Film Festival, 1996
- Best Actor — Zhu Xu
- Best Director — Wu Tianming
- Canberra International Film Festival, 1997
- Audience Award
- Carrousel International du Film, 1997
- Camério for Best Actor — Zhu Xu
- Camério for Best Actress — Zhou Renying
- Camério for Best Film
- Istanbul International Film Festival, 1997
- C.I.C.A.E. Award
- Golden Tulip
- Singapore International Film Festival, 1997
- Silver Screen Award for Best Asian Director — Wu Tianming
- Fajr Film Festival, 1998
- Crystal Simorgh for Best Actor — Zhu Xu
- Würzburg International Filmweekend, 1999
- Children's Film Award
- Satellite Awards, 2000
- Best Foreign Language Motion Picture (nominated)
[edit] External links
- The King of Masks at the Internet Movie Database
- The King of Masks at AllRovi
- The King of Masks at Rotten Tomatoes
- The King of Masks at the Chinese Movie Database
- Bianlian learning package for school children at Chinese Cinema '07
|
|||||||
 |
This article related to Chinese film is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
